It’s secondary school Open Night season in Dunedin. All over the city, nervous Year 8s (and sometimes even younger children) are trudging around various secondary schools as anxious parents attempt to find the best educational fit for them. And of course, they all scrub up well. From the freshly pressed uniforms donned by smiling, courteous current pupils to the latest technology proudly on display.

Signs are erected, advertising spreads booked and freebies ordered as each school vies to entice the next generation of learners amidst the challenging environment of falling or static rolls. (Just think what that money might buy if invested in classroom resources 😦 )

And you can’t blame schools. This is exactly the environment that Tomorrows Schools created when it was introduced in the late-80s. Schools have adapted quickly, learned to write websites, created marketing plans and sadly, when demographics drive budgets, become less collaborative over time.